Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Isn't this card smashing? This card combines two techniques I recently did video tutorials on.

First off - let's talk about how the sentiment stands out. This is such an easy thing to do, and it really will help your sentiment pop when you need it to. You can see how I create this look in this post. Our cards are really all about what we want to say, right? Whether that's an, "I'm sorry" or "Hey - You Rock". The sentiment on the card should take care of what we are wanting to express. Therefore, there are times that you really need it to stand out.

Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean we can't embellish! Oh, heck yeah....we can embellish!!! Just as I've done here. And that leads me to the way I colored the flowers on this card. You can find the how to's in this post. As you may know, the floral trim in the Spring Catalog only comes in a vanilla color. However, since it's so easy to change the color, I have no doubt that you'll be coloring the majority of the flowers on that roll! Every color under the rainbow! Here I used Summer Starfruit. I really like how it pairs up with the Pool Party color.

A couple of more embellishments to talk about - that doily. Oh, how I love me some doilies! Here, I simply folded it in half. Sure, I could have cut it in half, but I wanted it to have some substance. To be a little thicker than just a single layer. I was needing to work in some texture (besides those adorable little flowers), so also included a bit of the new Natural Trim Ribbon out of the Spring Catalog. It evokes somewhat of a burlap feel, but is more condensed. The texture of it is perfect. I know it will work well with more feminine and masculine cards.

I hope you liked today's card. If you'd like more inspiration delivered right to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter - at the upper right corner of the blog.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Somedays we need a super quick card, right?! And somedays we don't have the creative mojo we wish we had - right?!! I know how it is.

Insert My Digital Studio. This program is fantastic. It's easy to use, and has many uses. It's not just about scrapbooking, and that is the beauty of it.

Here I created a card, simply using one of My Digital Studio's Designer Templates. I didn't alter it. I just printed it quickly at home, cut it out, glued it to a card base and added a few embellishments. Easy as that! Absolutely no thinking involved. And there are days when we all need that.

When I dropped the Designer Template into the "workspace" in MDS, I then right clicked on the image at the bottom and selected "Insert Duplicate Page". This created the exact same image on another page, just like it sounds. I repeated this 2 more times so that I had 4 card fronts down at the bottom of the page. This way when I go to print, I can print an entire sheet of card fronts (4 of 'em!). Next, I selected print, and in that first screen at the bottom right, I select " 5.5 x 4.25 - 4 panels" This automatically fills my page with those 4 card fronts. Select Print! DONE!

You can watch this super quick video to show you how it's done. Let me warn you tho - my audio went wonky about half way thru. Hope you can get thru the whole thing (it's not very long).

Hope you enjoyed it! If you'd like more tips and tricks, be sure to sign up for my newsletter (at the top right). Then you'll receive exclusive content delivered right to your inbox!

Monday, January 28, 2013

How fun is this??? Stampin' Up! is 25 years old this year, and they are ready to celebrate. Out of the Vault come some of our favorite stamps from the past, and a new one that is sure to be our favorite!

Now, if you are like me, and haven't been familiar with Stampin' Up's products for the past 25 years (that's right, I've only been stamping for about 5 years!) some of these stamps I've not seen before, so they will soon become my favorites too! I already adore that little cupcake on the cake stand, well, and the gift too!

I think what's really remarkable is that you also have an opportunity to get a free stamp set of your choice when you order 6 of the Best of Sets. How awesome is THAT??? You'll need to save and collect the proof of purchases that come with the Best of Sets (ask me for the sheet to collect them on) and when you've got 6 Proofs collected you can turn those in for a free set valued at 14.95 or less. I love this!!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Don't you love it when you can create a card in under 5 minutes? It's the best - and especially when they come out lookin' good like this one!

This was so easy to create - I started off with a Very Vanilla Card Base, and then a slightly smaller piece of Very Vanilla. That piece I used a sponge dauber inked up with Crumb Cake and distressed the edges, then popped it up with some Stampin' Dimensionals.

Then, punched 5 large butterflies from patterned paper. Stamped 5 smaller one and punched them out. Stuck them together with a bit of Tombow Liquid glue. Added a few pearls - and the most adorable butterflies come to life!

We made this at a recent get together with some of the Stamp Us Silly team. They loved it. Frankly, I did too!

Well....not much time to chat! I've got Crafts and Cocktails here at my house tonight. Need to Cook, Clean and prep! It's a much needed date with my girlies! Can't wait!!!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Ready to be WOW'd?? You need to be sure to watch my video for the technique I used to create this card:

We all love the Ombre Effect right? And you'll be amazed at just how quick and easy it is to create this with the new Delicate Details Lace Tape that Stampin' Up! had in the Spring Catalog. Simply watch this quick video:

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

I know - you've looked at the Oh, Whale! set in the Spring catalog, and you just aren't sure, right. I know...I was in the same boat! (hardee har har!!!) It's the same every time a new Catalog is released. I ponder over a set, talk myself out of it, because I just don't know what to do with it....or if I really need to have it. But this set called to me over and over. I'm thinking adorable little Valentine's - especially with some Goldfish crackers!!! Yep....you just watch this ol' blog, I'm on that. 'Cept I gotta get to the store to get the goldfish! (keep in mind, I live in Timbucktoo, and only go to the store once a week! Target is not in my backyard - thank goodness!!!)

Well, this set was ready to get inky...SO I decided to give it some play time! Looky:

My pic doesn't show how well those jewels sparkle - I was hoping for rays of sunshine effect. Not quite sure I achieved that!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Oh - It's my favorite time of the year!!! WHY??? Hellloooo....who doesn't love free stuff?? And with so many ways that you can earn free product, you'll be singing from the rooftops!

Who doesn't love to party? Host your own party, and with $150 in orders, you'll earn a free pack of Silver Glimmer Paper! It's blingy and it's beautiful! Have a lot of people over for your party and $400 in orders and you'll earn the Glimmer Paper + a Product Bundle that includes a stamp set, designer paper and buttons and ribbons too! WOW!!! Isn't that awesome? I have a couple of dates left on my calendar, so be sure to contact me to snag one of those last dates up!

It's simple. Purchase $50 worth of the good stuff (paper, stamps, ink, embellishments, it's all good, right?) and you can pick something from the EXCLUSIVE Sale-A-Bration catalog absolutely free! It really is that simple! Just go to my online store, and you'll be on your way!

This one is the best of all! Not only will you get a minimum of a 20% discount on all products, you'll acquire a bunch of new friends, and you'll make a difference in the lives of others. What else? When you join during Sale-A-Bration, you'll get an additional 25% worth of product in your starter kit! That means $157 worth of goodies for $99. That's right - for $99 you are getting the chance at an amazing opportunity - your own business.
You'll also be a part of my Stamp Us Silly team, and will have access to our private Facebook Page where we share ideas, brainstorm together and support and encourage one another.
No worries - this is completely risk free. If you decide that it's not for you, you get to keep all of your products!
Lastly....all of those that join my team during Sale-A-Bration (between now and March 22nd) will be in a drawing to win a FREE BIG SHOT!!!'Please contact me to learn more or to discuss this amazing opportunity!

Monday, January 21, 2013

I have a super, super quick post for you today. I'm feeling slightly under the weather, so my creative mojo came to a screeching halt today....I'm hoping with a little extra sleep, I'll divert the flu bug that everyone seems to be affected by. Knock on wood!!!

So, here's my card for the day....

This is one of the cards that we'll create in a new club that is starting up in February - Tea Time Stampers! This will be held over at the Artisan in Woodbine one Wednesday afternoon a month. If you'd like to join these gals, be sure to contact me. We'll have room for you. We can house up to 15 gals (or guys) over there. Each month we'll create 4 cards, all from one stamp set. You'll learn how to change things up, how much versatility is in a single stamp set. Like I said, let me know if you'd like more information! The more the merrier!!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Hey there! Isn't this card bright and cheerful? I wanted the sentiment to really stand out amid all of those colors. Masking off the sentiment area makes that sentiment speak for itself! I put together a real quick video so that you can see how it's done. (it's easier to watch than to try and explain it!!!)

The flower stamps (except for the largest one) come from the Madison Ave. Stamp Set - one that you can earn FREE with a $50 purchase. You can find out more buy going to my website - just click here!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Isn't this card just adorable? I created it in My Digital Studio and now all I need to do is print it, and attach it to a card and mail it off. Easy Peasy! OR! Even better, I could order a slew of them from the Stampin' Up! Professional Print team and have them on hand. I can't wait to create some Valentine projects for the kids' classmates. Create one, print many. And they'll take to school with them something that no one else has. THAT makes me happy!

A couple of quick things about this card. Do you know where that Designer Paper is from? Oh....it's one of those freebies you can get real soon from the Sale-A-Bration catalog! Refer to your catalog. What? You don't see it in the paper offering?

Oh....that's right! I loved the LOOK and DESIGN of the paper, but the actual paper I was wanting to use didn't work for this card.

SO, I changed the colors of it! And it's very easy to do. Just click on the paper you've added to your project to select it. Then over in the Design Center (on the right side) click on the recolor button and choose your color.

Want to SEE how? Here's a video for you!

Now, you are wondering how I got the words in the heart punch? There's a video for that too! And the video is a better example of getting words to fill a punched shape.

Don't you just love all of the possibilities with My Digital Studio?
Whhhhhaaaaaattttt? You haven't tried it yet? You really should - and you can download a trial version for 30 days! JUST CLICK HERE!